• Volunteering/Work Experience

Become a Wildlife Aid volunteer

Without our volunteers, the Wildlife Aid Foundation could not continue to care for animals in need. If you feel strongly about the future of British wildlife or if you just love all animals and are aged 18 or over, then why not volunteer?

No special skills are needed – just the ability to commit to one shift on a regular basis and a passion for animal care. We have volunteers of all ages, levels of experience and background. There is no need to be a wildlife expert, but you need to be someone who cares about animal welfare and is willing to make a regular commitment. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.

Alongside animal husbandry, there is the opportunity to get involved in fundraising, educational talks at local schools and organisations, and helping with the administrative side of our work.

Please note, we have a very small admin team, so it may take up to 28 days to receive a response.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over and able to work independently.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel expenses.

We are looking for volunteers that can attend on a regular basis, and commit to the same shift every week, or fortnightly at the weekends.

  • Animal husbandry: cleaning out and feeding of animals at the hospital. This will involve aspects such as chopping up maggots/mealworms and dead chicks.
  • You will be expected to be able to handle all patients (with training) from pigeons to snakes.
  • Setting up pens and cages.
  • Restocking supplies for all areas of the hospital and advising of any shortages.
  • Helping to move animals from one area to another as they progress with their rehabilitation.
  • General maintenance of the hospital – tidying, cleaning, painting, weeding etc.
  • Being available to help veterinary staff with jobs as requested.
  • Able to commit to a minimum volunteering period of 6 months.

Choose ‘Animal Husbandry’ from the drop down list on the application form.

Please click here to apply.

Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over and able to work independently. We are looking for volunteers that can attend on a regular basis, and commit to the same shift every week, or fortnightly at the weekends.

Based on the busy hospital reception desk, this public-facing role will involve:

  • Taking incoming telephone calls and giving advice to the general public; we are a wildlife 999!
  • Booking in patients at the busy reception desk.
  • Organising rescues for injured wildlife that need to be attended to at the scene.
  • Entering all admissions onto our database (full training given).
  • Encouraging donations and memberships from the public bringing in animals to us.
  • General running of a very busy reception desk and administrative support to the main admin. office.
  • Able to commit to a minimum volunteering period of 6 months.

Full training will be given; however applicants should have a good standard of literacy & numeracy, and must be able to demonstrate good customer service skills. Attention to detail is very important, and any previous customer service or reception experience would be ideal but not essential.

Choose ‘Receptionist’ from the drop down list on the application form and we’ll invite you in for an introductory session.

Please click here to apply.

We are looking for 2 to 3 full time volunteers from April to August to assist our veterinary team with their day to day tasks. You must be 18 years or over to apply, experience with animals is a bonus but not essential.

Requirements:

  • Confident using computers/software (training will be provided)
  • Ability to work fast and efficiently
  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • Works well independently and in a team
  • Passion for working with wildlife

Tasks:

  • Admit new patients to the system and follow their treatment path
  • Create an ID tag and place it on the respective enclosure
  • Animal handling
  • Ensure that cages are set up and ready to use
  • General admin

If you are interested, please send a cover letter with a copy of your CV to office@wildlifeaid.org.uk.

Are you a qualified Veterinary Nurse or Veterinary Surgeon who would like the opportunity of working on the wild side of the veterinary world?

We are offering a unique learning experience for those keen to get to grips with the treatment of wildlife, from its initial assessment to rehabilitation.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation, home of TV’s ‘Wildlife SOS’, is very pleased to be able to offer voluntary work placements to vets and vet nurses. This can be a regular commitment – hopefully, at least once a week, long term, or just one or two week’s work experience in our busy hospital for you to gain experience working alongside our current veterinary team. This is a very rewarding position and a great opportunity to gain experience with British wildlife. You will receive full training from our vet team with a wide variety of wild species, giving you hands-on experience in how to triage, treat and rehab wild animals.

If you are interested, then please do send a letter with a copy of your CV to vets@wildlifeaid.org.uk and we will provide you with more information.

Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over.

A morning/afternoon or full day shift, available 7 days a week, this role is less hands-on with the animals and focuses more on keeping the centre running. From re-filling and ordering food supplies to cleaning out cages or fixing a broken perch, this role is for a practical, physically fit person. You will still have the opportunity to get involved with the animals if you like; there are always times when we are short-staffed and you can help out! We often need animals released back to the wild, so if you have a clean driving license you can assist with one of the best bits – releases!

Choose ‘Centre Maintenance’ from the drop down list on the application form.

Please click here to apply

Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over.

This role is less hands-on with the animals and focuses more on maintaining the site. From hedge trimming and cutting the grass, to planting and weeding, this role is for a practical, physically fit person. You will still have the opportunity to get involved with the animals if you like; we often need animals released back to the wild, so if you have a clean driving license you can assist with one of the best bits – releases!

Choose ‘Gardener’ from the drop down list on the application form.

Please click here to apply


Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over.

This role focuses on electrical support for the site and is not for a specific shift. We are looking for a qualified electrician we can call for anything from changing a plug socket to helping us set up for our Open Weekend.

Choose ‘Electrical Support’ from the drop down list on the application form.

Please click here to apply


Schools and colleges around the country send students to the Wildlife Aid Foundation every year, and students find the hands on experience of working with our patients very useful as an accompaniment to their studies. Placements are available between between March and October, sorry, but we are unable to assist Duke of Edinburgh placements or accommodation for students.

Please note, we require all arrangements and communications regarding placements to be completed by the attending student as we consider this to be a key part of the experience.

Students must be 16 years or over when they start their placement. You will become involved in the day to day running of the hospital, with the cleaning and feeding that accompanies the ongoing animal care and welfare that we offer.

This is quite a physical role, especially when the hospital is busy and students must be able to clearly communicate with our volunteers, as well as follow instructions.

Placements consist of 5 days work experience over a 7 day period, with students working at the weekend as the hospital is open 7 days a week. The weekend days will be advised to you in plenty of time and will be at the end of your placement week, i.e. all weeks start on a Monday, and will finish on a Sunday, with two days off during that period. We are unable to change rotas once they have been confirmed. Your usual hours will be from 9am – 5pm, with an hour for lunch.

Clinical placements are only available to fourth year veterinary students and above.

We ask for a payment of £30 for the placement to cover our admin and insurance costs.

Please click here to apply.

University students needing professional placements: we offer an all-round placement for the academic year, encompassing all areas of animal care with the opportunity to spend some time with the vet team. There is also the option to gain experience in reception, marketing and fundraising, and all aspects of running a wildlife charity. Hours to suit; generally 5 days a week, including some weekends, although more available if needed! Please note this is an unpaid role.

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, explaining why a placement at WAF would benefit your studies to alice@wildlifeaid.org.uk for more details.